Combined clothes drier and sunshade



April 11, 1950 H. L. GRIFFIN 7 2,503,386

COMBINED CLOTHES DRIER AND SUNSHADE Filed Sept. 10, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet1 INVENTOR. Hnnmr L. G RIFFIN. BY

A TTORNEYS April 11, 1950 H. L. GRIFFIN COMBINED CLOTHES DRIER ANDSUNSHADE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10, 1946 INVENTOR. HHRRY GRIFFINATTORNEYS April 11, 1950 H. L. GRIFFIN COMBINED CLOTHES DRIER ANDSUNSHADE I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 10, 1946 INVENTOR- Hmuzv L. GmFFmF? TTORNEYS Patented Apr. 11, 1950 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE qCOMBINED CLOTHES DRIER, AND 'SUNSHADE, Harry L. Griifin, RockvilleCentre, N. Y.,, assignor;

to Dry-Or-Shade, Inc.,-:1New york N. Y.,, a. corporation of New York I HApplication September 10, 1946, Serial No. 695,997 7 My inventionrelates to a new andimproved device, which can be used as a clothesdrier, and also as a sunshade or sun umbrella.

It is well-known to provide a clothes drier which consists of arms whichradiate from a vertical column. Cords or ropes are diagonally connectedto said arms and the clothes are fastened to said cords or ropes.

Such known devices are unattractive and they 6Claims. (o1.211-17s) Fig.'7 is a detail top plan View, showing. the" the cap at the top of thepole, and parts of the upper ribs.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a detail top. plan view which shows" theleaf spring whichreleasably connects each upper rib to its respective lower rib-member.The use of such leaf springs is optional.

Fig. 10 is; a side elevation of Fig. 9'.

cannot be used for any other purpose. 1.0:" Fig. 11 is a detail view,partly in horizontal -According to my invention, I provide a col"section and partly in horizontal plan view, showlapsible device whichcan be shipped in closed ing the construction of the hollow pole, theposition, and which can be easily opened to drier runner and therib-members. position or to umbrella position so that it can Fig. 12 isan elevation of Fig. 11. be used as a drier Or sunshade. I provide acover 15 Foundation I' is provided with socket 2. The which can bereleasably connected to thedevice. pole or column 3 is held verticallyin socket 2. For these purposes, I provide numerous im- Runner 4 is aring which is slidable on pole 3. provements and special features ofconstruction, Said runner 5 is releasably fixed to pole 3 by wing whichare set forth in the annexed description screw' 5, whose. point enters;a selected recess 6 and drawings, which disclose preferred embodi- 20,of pole 3. ments of my invention. There are four such recesses 6,corresponding. Fig. '1 is'an elevation of certain parts of therespectively in upward succession to closed pofirst embodiment of theimproved device. The sition' of the device, a nextv position in whichthe runner and lower rib-members and upp'gr ribcanopy or cover isapplied or removed, drier members are shown in drier position in'fulllines, position, and umbrella position. However, the and in closed orcollapsed position in broken drier position may also be the umbrellaorsunlines. In this embodiment, the lower ribs, their shade position shownin full lines in Fig. 3. rib-extensions, and the upper ribs arestraight. The device has spreaders or stretchersS. Each Fig. 2 is' a topplan view of the parts of Fig. i, spreader S has an innerspreader-section l which in drier position, also showing the cords indrier so is integral with an outer spreader-section 7a, or formation.which is. otherwise in fixed angular relation to Fig. 3 is an elevationof another embodiment, ini outer spreader-section.- 1a. There is anobtuse which the rib-extensions of the lower ribs are angle'between eachinner spreader-section l and: convexo-concave, and the upper ribs are ofthe its outer spreader-section id. This'obtuse anglesame shape.Thezlower ribs are straight; In; is lessthan180 atitheunder side ofeachspreader- Fig. 3,.the brokensline'positioni of runner 4 is the S.The. spreaders: S are: of identical. cross-secdrier position, and theupper full-line position of; tional shape and Width. Their longitudinalrunner 4 is the umbrella position. The shapes or shapes may be the sameor different. Thus, the the upper ribs and of the extensions of, the;lower spreaders S are of identical straight longitudinal ribs can bevaried. :Preferably, when the frame 40 shape in Fig; 1. In Fig. 3,,theinner spr is in'the umbrella position, each'upper ribancl sections Iare: longitudinally straight and the its associated lower rib-extensionhave the same? outer spreader secti-ons are. longitudinally arched. lonitudin l c n ur H wev r. h in en ion i Said'spreaders s; are made ofmetal or other suitnot limitedto this, because the upper ribs may ablematerial. Said spreaders S are stifi and be straight, and theirassociated lower rib-extenthey arenot bent out. of normal shape in anySiOIlS maybe curved downwardly- Ibis sufiicient position of the runner 4in the normal operation if there is no sharp change in contour at adjaofthe device. Said spreaders S have channelcentends of. the. upper'ribsand their associated shaped cross-sections-in this example. lowerrib=extensions Y In this emb'odimentthere. are. four spreaders S, iFig.4 is a top plan view of eitherembodiment' whose horizontal projectionsmake respective in umbrella position, the: cords being shown" in anglesof? with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. broken 'lines 'i'n umbrellaformation."- I can use any desired. number of spreaders S, Fig. 5 Badetail top planview which shows the whose. horizontal. projections makeequal angles constructiori'at a corner of the cover C. l with eachother; v .iFIg.ffii-ififiinfiiflllfitifln0f5;; 55. If Luse fourlowerspreaders S, one oi the;

spreader-sections Ia is provided with hooks 9, and the otherspreader-sections Ia are provided with closed eyes 911. The cords 20 areendless, because the ends of each cord 20 are tied or otherwise securedto each other.

In drier position, and as shown in Fig. 2, each cord 20 has the shape ofa parallelogram. The closed eyes 9a support each cord 20 at threecorners of said parallelogram. Each hook 9 supports a respective cord 20at the remaining corner of the respective parallelogram.

By removing the cords 20 from hooks 9, said cords 20 may be positionedin substantially triangular formation in umbrella position, as shown' inFig. 4. The part of each cord 20 which is then free from hooks 9, isthen supported in hook H of runner 4.

If I use more than four lower spreaders S, I

can provide a plurality of spreader-sections Ia with said hooks 9, and Ican provide runner 4 with a plurality of hooks H.

Each lower spreader S is associated with an upper rib I I which is madeof metal or other material. These upper ribs II are not bent out ofnormal shape in any position of the frame, as they are stiff. The upperribs II may have the same cross-sectional channel-shape as spreaders S,but upper ribs II are narrower than spreaders S. These parts of theframe may be made of wood and of any cross-sectional shape.

A cap I is releasably fixed to the top of pole 8 by a releasable holdingmember 24, which can be a wing-nut screw.

Each upper rib II is pivoted to cap IIlby a respective pivot pin I2, andto the associated spreader S by a pivot pin I4 which is located at thejunction between the respective spreadersections 1 and la.

In the broken-line lower position of runner 4 in Fig. 1, whichcorresponds to the closed position of the frame, the innerspreader-sections I and ribs II are vertically alined and parallel topole 3. The outer spreader-sections Ia are then inclined outwardly andmake acute angles with the vertical axis of pole 3.

Fig. 1 also shows that when runner 4 is in its upper and drier positionwhich is shown in full lines, each upper rib II makes an obtuse angle ofless than 180 with the respective outer spreader-section Ia. as viewedfrom above. said drier position, each spreader-section la is inclinedupwardly relative to the horizontal plane of pivot pin I4. In the drierposition, spreader sections I and la and upper ribs II are straight andunfiexed. As previously noted, said parts I, Ia and II remain unflexedin all positions of the frame,

When runner 4 is pushed to its umbrella position, the outerspreader-sections Ia are downwardly inclined relative to the horizontalplane, thus reversing their drier positions shown in full lines in Fig.1, relative to the horizontal plane. However, the device can be used asa drier, when runner 4 is in its umbrella position.

In Fig. 3, the inner spreader sections I are straight as in Fig. 1, butouter spreader-sections Ia and upper ribs II are curved, so that theirtop faces are convex. In the umbrella position of Fig. 3 which may alsobe a drier position, the parts I, Ia and I I are unflexed and they havethe same shape as in other positions of the frame. Fig. 3 shows thateach upper rib I I and its associated spreader-section Ia are continuousin cur'vatur'e or longitudinal shape, so as to directly abut the bottomface of cover C- The invention is not 4 limited to this. As an example,the longitudinal curvature of upper ribs II may be less than thelongitudinal curvature of the spreader-section la. The upper ribs I Imay be longitudinally straight as'in Fig. 1, and the spreader-section Iamay curve longitudinally downwardly from pivots I4. It is preferred ineach case to have each upper rib II and the respective spreader-sectionIa, abutting the bottom face of the cover C.

Fig. 3 shows another important feature of my invention, which alsoapplies to Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 3, the tips of spreader-sections Ia are substantiallyat the same height when the frame is in drier position and in umbrellaposition.

As an example, the height of the tips of spreader-sections Ia may beabout 6.0 to 6.5 feet above the ground, when the frame is in drierposition. This height of said tips is substantially maintained when theframe is in umbrella position, so that the device can be used as a drierwhen the frame is in umbrella position, by omitting the cover C, or byfolding back a part of cover C. For this reason, each pivot I4 islocated at the junction between an inner spreadersection 1 and its outerspreader-section Ia, and the parts have the proportions and longitudinalshapes shown substantially to scale in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3.

Also, Fig. 3 shows that when the runner 4 is in umbrella position, theheight of said runner 4 is substantially the height of the tips ofspreadersections Ia. By making the inner spreader-sections 1 shorterthan in the proportion shown in Fig. 3, the runner 4 can be located at ahigher level than the tips of spreader-sections Ia, when the runner 4 isin umbrella position. I prefer this, so that the level of the runner 4is above th level of the bottom edge of the canopy C, to provideabundant head-room in umbrella position.

A resilient leaf spring I5 is optionally pivotally connected to eachupper rib II by a pivot pin I6. Each spring I5 has a lateral notch orrecess I8. A stud II, which has a shank and a head, is fixed to eachspreader-section Ia. Each spring I5 can be turned from its non-operatingposition shown in broken lines in Fig. 9, to the operating positionthere shown in full lines. In such operating position, the' shank ofeach stud I1 is located in the respective notch I8, and the head of eachstud I'I overlies the respective spring I5.

It is clear from the drier position of runner 4 in Fig. 1, that ifrunner 4 is moved downwardly from said drier position, the angle betweenthe legs of spring I5 is decreased, as viewed from the side.

When .-the spring I5 is in its normal unstressed shape, it may have theangularity shown in the drier position of Fig. 1. In such case, thesprings-I5 act as resilient connections for the upper ribs II andspreaders S, and said springs I5 also resiliently'resist the movement ofrunner 4 below drier position. If runner 4 is moved to bottom closedposition and runner 4 is then released, springs I5 act as automaticopening devices to move runner4 to drier position.

In the umbrella position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, the springs I 5are substantially flat, and

they may follow the longitudinal contour of eachpivot I4.

If desired, the normal unstressed shape of each mensesmaybeite .shapeinsaldi e tlon, soxthatsaid springs; iii urge. runner I. up

wardlyrtoitsumbrellaposition, until. mnnerl has reached said. umbrellaposition.

Also, if desired; the normalunstressedshape of.

each spring. l5- maybe: moreconuex, as viewed.

from above; than in said umbrella positiom In order further tofacilitate the opening of.

device: and. the movementof runner'lto umbrella position, which also maybe drier posi tion, I optionally provide each upper 1 rib HQ and itsassociated; inner spreader-section. l; with. a.

spring 19... whose ends are fixed; respectiveiy to an upper rib H- and:an: inner spreader;- sectlon" 7|. Each spring. 19. may be under;initial: tension the. umbrella position. }I can use springs; 19- alonc;.or leaf springs Hr alone, or: both said types ofisprings, or! mayomit-saidispringsl Cover or canopy C, made" oi'ianyzflexible material.which may be somewhat stretchable and.

elastic; If. I use four 1ower-spreaders$.,. cover 0- has arectangular-shape, part of which inqFig. 5.

A rigid corner member 2l:,..=made-of. metal or" other rigid material, isfixed- :at each corner: of.

cover 0 by stitches orrivetnil! which. pass. through holes 23: of suchcomermembers 21-.

Each corner member. 2.! has outer faces; or: legsunflexed. The topofeach cornerrmemberfl. has;

the. same shape as the abutting. part-of the ap*- plied coverrC and ofthe" upper'edgeof spreader-- section. Ia. This applies whetherspreader-sec tion la is: curved or. straight.

Cover 0 has a central ring. 25, which fits on the vertical lug..25 ofcap I0;

The metal pole 3- may be hollow and rolled.

intoshape so as to provide a; longitudinal? rolled seam. 3a.

The frame oithe: device isshipped in closed shape, with cover C:separate from said device. If the frame is self opening bythe action.-of" springs: 15 and I9. or either oi'themtov drier posi.- tion or: toumbrella position, runner: 4* is, held in closed. position by member 5or; any suitablemeans. The pole 3 maybesolider, hollow and.

made of. any material. The endless cords 2il may" be assembled with theframe at. the factory, it

such endless cords are used.

Upon moving. the runner 4 into drier position; by hand or by the openingsprings, the. endless cords 20 become tent or: substantially taut, sothat if. said endless cords 211 are held in hooks 9 and closed eyes 9a,runner 4- cannot be moved. above drier position, if it is desired tohave a. singlev drier position below. the -umbrella position, If.desired, the force of the; opening. springs may beins'ufficient to openthe. frame. In. such. case.

such; springs are sufliciently strong. so that the frame can be openedto drier position or umbrella position by very-slight. force.

When it isdesired to use the device as. a sunshade, the endless cords 20are released from 'brella orrsunshade position. The removal. oi the.

cordsafrom hooks; 9a,.is optional, if thedrier 1205i? tion is theumbrella. position. The runner 4 is moved to'theposition. indicatedby-recess: 6- which. isnext above bottom recess 6, either by hand, or'by springs l5 and I9, or either of'said. sets of springs. The runner 4is held in such coverapplying position. interfitted with the free endsof spreader-section 1a., while runner 4 is held in such position.

The runner i is then moved to: umbrella 1305i? tion, so that cover Cisspread into smooth shape anclzsaid. cover C is held firmly in tautcondi; tion on: the: frame When: runner 4 is: moved; to:umbrellaposition, the tips of outer-Spreader section la thrust laterallyoutwardly against the.

corner members 2|, thus tightening the cover 6;. which assumes thecontour of the upper ribs 1| and outer spreader-sections 1a. Toremovecover C, the runner 4' is held in thesame position as: when. the coverCis applied, and the cover Cis then detached from the frame.

The springs I5 may be interlocked with studs.

I at the factory, so that such springs iii are in;

operating position when the device. is closed; If. desired, the devicemay-be shipped. with: springs:

l5 free from studs H, and the user can then turn the springs l5intooperating position,

For convenience, the device is, definedin the claims with reference toits upstanding position shown in Figs. 1 and.3.

While I prefer to locate the pivot pins 14. at

the junctions between inner spreader-sections I. and. outer.spreader-sections la, the invention v is.

not. limited. to, this feature;

The, invention also. includes the sub-combina tions. disclosed. herein.a

If. the endless cords 20 have separable ends,

is. not. necessary to provide holding. means 5 from which the endlesscords 20. can be released- Hence. such releasable holding means 9 arenotv essential, although their use is preferred. I

For convenience,. the ends of inner spreadersections .1 and of. upperribs l l which: are respeo-- tively pivoted to runner 4 and cap H! aredesig-- nated. as their. inner ends, and the outer spreadersections. Taaredesignated as outer extensions of.-

i xmer spreaderssections 1. In effect, the inner ends, of upper ribs IIare pivotally connected to pole 3,..since cap. I0 is. merely a.convenient way of securing such pivotal connection.

For convenience, the drier position. of runner- 4 is. designated. as. alower selected position if the,- d'rierpositionis different fromtheumbrella .posi,-

tion, and in. such. case. the umbrella position. of} runner, 41's;designated. as itsupper selected posii-I tion. since the. device. couldbe made and. sold,

particularly for export, without the endlesscords 20, which can. beapplied by the user, the inventionis not limited to a device whichincludes suchv endless cords. Hence the user. can. apply the cords 20when the. device is. in umbrella. position.

The same applies to hooks 9 and eyes to, since; they can be applied tospreader-sections la bya. user, instead. of being original parts.

I prefer to have the outer spreader-sections 'l-av downwardly inclinedfrom. inner spreader-sections 1, when runner 4 is in umbrella position,

which may also bea drier. position. However, the

invention. is not limitezhto this feature, because, outerspreader-sections la could; behorizontal. or;

substantially horizontal in such umbrella or op.-

tional drier position;.-since upper. ribs. H. may be substantiallyhorizontal in. such umbrella. or on tional drier position. The cover 6cc u-.ldlthus.-

The corner members 2| are;

have a flat horizontal shape or substantially such shape, when the frameis in umbrella position.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but numerouschanges and omissions and additions can be made without departing fromits scope.

As shown in Fig. 3, when the frame is in umbrella position which mayalso be drier position, the tips of the outer spreader-sections la arebelow the upper ends of the inner spreader-sections 1. This results fromthe bent shape of the spreaders S. In such umbrella or optional drierposition, the tips of the outer spreader-sections 1a should not besubstantially higher than the upper ends of the inner spreader-sectionsT, and preferably not higher than the inner ends of the outerspreader-sections 1a.

I claim:

"11A combined clothes drier and sunshade device which comprises alongitudinal pole which has a top end and a bottom end, a runnerslidable on said pole to a bottom position and an inter mediate drierposition and a top sunshade position, means for fixing said runner tosaid pole in said intermediate position and in said top position, aplurality of rigid spreaders, the inner ends of said spreaders beingpivotally connected to said runner, a plurality of ribs, each rib havinga top end which is connected by a top pivotalconnection to said poleabove said runner and said spreaders, each rib having a lower end whichis pivotally connected to a respective spreader between the ends of therespective spreader, said ribs extending below said top pivotalconnections and being close to and substantially alined with said polewhen said runner is in said bottom position, said ribs being downwardlyinclined relative to said pole from said top pivotal connections whensaid runner is in said intermediate position, each spreader having aface which is its top face when said runner is in said intermediate andtop positions, each said face having an inner face portion and an outerface portion, said face portions of each spreader making an obtuse anglewith each other, said inner face portions being close to andsubstantially alined with said pole when said runner is in its bottomposition, said outer face portions diverging from said pole and makingacute upward angles with said pole when said runner is in said bottomposition, said inner face portions being inclined upwardly to said poleand making acute angles with said pole when said runner is in saidintermediate and top positions, said outer face sections being inclinedupwardly to said pole when said runner is in said intermediate position,each said outer face section being substantially a continuation of thetop face of the respective rib when said runner is in said top positionto provide supporting members which consist of said ribs and said outerface sections which are adapted to support a canopy which is connectableto said pole and to the said spreaders, the outer tips of said outerface sections being substantially not higher than the inner ends of saidinner face sections where said runner is in said top position, saidspreaders being adapted to support clothes-supporting lines between saidspreaders.

- 2. A combined clothes-drier and'sunshade device which comprises alongitudinal pole which has a top end and a bottom end, a runner slid able on said pole to a bottom positionand an inter mediate' drierpositionand a top sunshade posi-- tion, means for fixing said runner to saidpole in said intermediate position and in said top posi- 8. tion, aplurality of rigid-spreaders1the inner ends of'said spreaders-beingpivotally connected to said runner, a plurality of ribs, each rib havinga top end which is connected by a top pivotal connection to said pole'above said runner and said spreaders, each rib having a lower end whichis pivotally connected to a respective spreader between the ends of therespective spreader, said ribs extending below said top pivotalconnections and being close toand substantially alined with said polewhen said runner is in said bottom position, said ribs being downwardlyinclined relative to said pole from said top pivotal connections whensaid runner is in said intermediate position, each spreader having-aface which is its top face when said runner is in said intermediate andtop positions, each said face having an inner face portion and an outerface portion, said face'portions of' each. spreader making an obtuseangle with each other, said inner face portions being close to andsubstantially alined with said pole when said runner is'in its bottomposition, said outer face portions diverging from said pole'and makingacute upward angles with said pole when said runner is in said bottomposition, said inner face portions being inclined upwardly to said poleand making acute angles with said pole when said runner is in saidintermediate and top positions, said outer face sections being inclinedupwardly tosaid pole when said runner is in said intermediate position,each said outer face section being substantially a continuation of thetop face of the respective rib when said runner is in said top positionto provide supporting members which" consist of said ribs and said outerface sections which are adapted to support a canopy which is connectableto said pole and to the said spreaders, the outer tips of said outerface sections being substantially not higher than the inner ends of saidinner face sections where said runner is in said top position, saidspreaders being adapted to support clothes-supporting lines between saidspreaders, said outer face sections and said ribs being inclineddownwardly relative to said pole when said runner is in said top'position.

3. A combined clothes drier and sunshade device which comprises alongitudinal pole which has a top end and a bottom end, a runnerslidable on said pole to a bottom position and an'intermediate drierposition and a top sunshade position, means for fixing said runner tosaid pole in said intermediate position and in said top position, aplurality of rigid spreaders, the inner ends of said spreaders beingpivotally connected to said runner, a plurality of ribs, each rib havinga top end which is connected by a top pivotal connection to said poleabove said runner and said spreaders, each rib having a lower end which:is pivotally connected to a respective spreader between the ends of therespective spreader, said ribs extending below said top pivotalconnections and being close to and substantially alined with said polewhen said runner is in said bottom position, said ribs being downwardlyinclined relative to said pole from said top pivotal con nections whensaid runner is in said intermediateposition, each spreader having a facewhich is its top face when said runner is in said intermediate and toppositions, each said face having an inner face portion and an outer faceportion,

said faceportions of each spreader making an obtuseangle-with eachother, said inner face portions being close to and substantially alinedand safe and making acute upward angles with tions being inclinedupwardly to said pole when said runner is in said interme'diateposition,each said-outer face section being substantially a continuation "of the-top :fa'ce fflf the respective rib ,tips of said outer face sectionsbeing substantially not higher than the inner ends of said inner facesections where said runner is in said toppositlomsaidspreaders-beingadapted to support clothes-supporting linesbetween said spreaders, each rib being connected to the respectivespreader at substantially the angular ,joint of said face-sections, eachrib extending "substantiallyonly to said angular joint.

. 4. Acombined clothesdrier and sunshade device whichcomprises-a-longitudinal pole which has a top end and a bottom end, arunner slidable on 'said'pole to a bottom position and "an inter-"mediate drier position and a top sunshade position, means for fixingsaid "runner to :said'pole in said intermediate *position and in saidtop position, a plurality of rigid spreads, the inner ends of saidspreaders being pivotally connected to said runner, a plurality of ribs,each rib having a top end which is connected by a top pivotal connectionto said pole above said runner and said spreaders, each rib having alower end which is pivotally connected to a respective spreader betweenthe ends of the respective spreader, said ribs extending below said toppivotal connections and being close to and substantially alined withsaid pole when said runner is in said bottom position, said ribs beingdownwardly inclined relative to said pole from said top pivotalconnections when said runner is in said intermediate position, eachspreader having a face which is its top face when said runner is in saidintermediate and top positions, each said face having an inner faceportion and an outer face portion, said face portions of each spreadermaking an obtuse angle with each other, said inner face portions beingclose to and substantially alined with said pole When said runner is inits bottom position, said outer face portions diverging from said poleand making acute upward angles with said pole when said runner is insaid bottom position, said inner face portions being inclined upwardlyto said pole and making acute angles with said pole when said runner isin said intermediate and top positions, said outer face sections beinginclined upwardly to said pole when said runner is in said intermediateposition, each said outer face section being substantially acontinuation of the top face of the respective rib when said runner isin said top position to provide supporting members which consist of saidribs and said outer face sections which are adapted to support a canopywhich is connectable to said pole and to the said spreaders, the outertips of said outer face sections being substantially not higher than theinner ends of said inner face sections where said runner is in said topposition, said spreaders being adapted to support clothes-supportinglines between said spreaders, at least one leaf spring being provided atthe "junction being arib and the spreader to which said rib isconnected, said leaf spring being connected to said rib and saidspreader and being under stress to urge said runner "upwardly;

'5. combined clothes drier and sunshade device which comprises alongitudinal pole which has atop end and a bottom end, a runner slidableon said pole to a bottom position and an intermediate drier position anda top sunshade position, means for fixing said runner to said pole insaid intermediate position and in said top position, a plurality ofrigid spreaders, the inner ends of said spreaders being pivotallyconnected to said runner, a plurality of ribs, each rib having a top endwhich iscon-nected by a top pivotal connection to 'said pole above saidrunner and said spreaders, each rib having a lower end which ispivotallyconnected to a respective spreader between the ends of therespective spreader, said ribs extending below said top pivotalconnections and being close 'to and substantially alined with said polewhen said runner is in said bottom position, said ribs being downwardlyinclined relative to said pole from said top pivotal connections whensaid runner is in said intermediate position, each spreader-having aface which is its portions of each spreader making an obtuse angle witheach other, said inner face portions being close to and substantiallyalined with said pole when said runner is in its bottom position, saidouter face portions diverging from said pole and making acute upwardangles with said pole when said runner is in said bottom position, saidinner face portions being inclined upwardly to said pole and makingacute angles with said pole when said runner is in said intermediate andtop positions, said outer face sections being inclined upwardly to saidpole when said runner is in said intermediate position, each said outerface section being substantially a continuation of the top face of therespective rib when said runner is in said top position to providesupporting members which consist of said ribs and said outer facesections which are adapted to support a canopy which is connectable tosaid pole and to the said spreaders, the outer tips of said outer facesections being substantially not higher than the inner ends of saidinner face sections where said runner is in said top position, a seriesof endless clothes-supporting lines, one selected spreader having hooksfor releasably supporting said endless lines at said selected spreader,the other spreaders having eyes in which said endless lines are slidablysupported, each said endless line being in polygonal formation when itis supported on a respective hook, said runner having hook-means forsupporting the parts of said endless lines which are released from saidhooks of said spreaders.

6. A combined clothes drier and sunshade device which comprises alongitudinal pole which has a top end and a bottom end, a runnerslidable on said pole to a bottom position and an intermediate drierposition and a top sunshade position, means for fixing said runner tosaid pole in said intermediate position and in said top position, aplurality of rigid spreaders, the inner ends of said spreaders beingpivotally connected to said runner, a plurality of ribs, each rib havinga top end which is connected by a top pivotal connection to said poleabove said runner and 11 said spreaders, each rib having a lower endwhich is pivotally connected to a respective spreader between the endsof the respective spreader, said ribs extending below said top pivotalconnections and being close to and substantially alined with said polewhen said runner is in said bottom position, said ribs being downwardlyinclined relative to said pole from said top pivotal connections whensaid runner is in said intermediate position, each spreader having aface which is its top face when said runner is in said intermediate andtop positions, each said face having an inner face portion and an outerface portion, said face portions of each spreader making an obtuse anglewith each other, said inner face portions being close to andsubstantially alined with said pole when said runner is in its bottomposition, said outer face portions diverging from said pole and makingacute upward angles with said pole when said runner is in said bottomposition, said inner face portions being inclined upwardly to said poleand making acute angles with said pole when said runner is in saidintermediate and top positions, said outer face sections being inclinedupwardly to said pole when said runner is in said intermediate position,each said outer face section being substantially a continuation of thetop face of the respective rib when said runner is in said top positionto provide supporting members which consist of said ribs and said outerface sections which are adapted to support a canopy which is connectableto said pole and to the said spreaders, the outer tips of said outerface sections being substantially not higher than the inner ends of saidinner face sections where said runner is in said top position, saidspreaders being adapted to support clothes-supporting lines between saidspreaders, the outer tips of said spreaders being at substantially thesame distance from said top pivotal connections when said runner is insaid intermediate position and in said top position.

HARRY L. GRIFFIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

